Sound absorbing ventilator and the like



June 23, 1931.- c. R. c. BORDE-:N

SOUND ABSORBING VENTILATOR AND THE LIKE Filed March 7, 1927 haventnr 7m/flesh. GB01-den Moray Patented June 23, 1931 PATENT OFFICE CHARLES R. C. BORDEN, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS SOUND ABSORBING VENTILATOR AND THE LIKE Application filed March 7, 1927. Serial No. 173,322.

Due to the enormous increase of vehicular traffic of all types, noises of a most distracting variety are constantly present in all the busy streets and thoroughfares. Such noises cannot be eliminated from the source, as motor traiiic is a too vital part of the business of life in every community.

Efforts have been made to design and, in a few instances, to construct sound-proof buildings; but this line of etl'ort is a preventative for the future and is no remedial solution for the problem in buildings already constructed.

Tvvo general lines of effort have recently been followed to eliminate noise in business buildings. First, by covering the Walls and ceilings with curtain-like sound asborbing materials. Secondly, by constructing the enclosing Walls of the room of special plasterlike materials which absorb sufficient sound Waves to prevent reverberation. In the former type, the best results have been obtained in radio-broadcasting stations. For private houses and small offices, both methods are too expensive for wide-spread use.

'lo shut out as much of the distracting noise as possible in the average home or office, the Windows are kept as nearly closed as possible, usually at a resulting deprivation of the persons occupying the rooms of necessary and desirable fresh air. In many offices on noisy streets` it is frequently necessary to entirely close the Windows in order properly to conduct a private conversation or to successfully 35 effect a telephone communication.

The urgent need lof some means by which fresh air could be permitted to enter a room and at the same time keep out a considerable portion of the disturbing noise, has led me to produce my present invention. IVorling along these lines, I investigated many different. types of Ventilating structures, many of which were quite elaborate in their detail. Certain of them functioned very well as noise eliminators, but Were `poor ventilators. Others were excellent ventilators but had little or no power to preclude the noise.

By a combination of principles already generally accepted as to ventilation and similarly those of the physical laws of sound,

I have been able to produce a simple device Which is very eflicient both as a ventilatov and as a noise eliminator. It will admit a fine volume of fresh air and it Will at the same time absorb Withinyitself, sufficient of the sound waves to eliminate much of the disagreeable noise yvhich would otherwise enter the room. In this respect, it may be said to be supplemental to the usual sound-deadening cloths and similar Wall and ceiling coverings sometimes used in rooms to deaden the sounds which have already entered the room or are created in the room, Whereas my invention prevents the sounds from entering the room. By using my device in conjunction with the usual forms of sound deadening wall coverings, the latter are aided in their function due to the reduction in volume of the noise which must be absorbed by reason of the fact that much of this noise has been prevented from entering the room. In other Words, my invention is not designed to take the place of the older Wall deadening coverings, but is designed to act in conjunction With them by materially lessening the amount of sound which they would otherwise have to absorb. My device is very simple to construct; may be placed in any Window and can be readily put in place or removed.

In selecting an embodiment as illustrative of my invention I have deliberately chosen one of an old and simple type, as its general structure and operation is Well understood and need not confuse the novel concept of my invention. Such novel features as I have em- S5 bodied therewith will be distinctly pointed out. t

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an old type of ventilator in place in accordance With my invention.

Fig. 2 a fragmentary elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 an enlarged vertical sectional view of the deflecting and absorbing member and,

Fig. 4 an enlarged sectional fragment of 9b the same.

For the Ventilating part ofmy invention,

I take the well-known and commonly used defiector plate l adjustable at any angle to the vertical plane of an open Window W.

This so deflects the air currents, as indicatedV by the arrow A, as to give` ventilation sub stantially as from an unobstructed open window. In this flat air dellecting surface, I have arranged a sound absorbing member which will absorb to an extraordinary degree the sound waves which would otherwise find Way into the room. Experience roved that such an absorbing member may est be constructed of a thick, soft fibrous material, in order to really absorb and deaden the sound waves and not deflect them. Very satisfac- Itory results were obtained by using many layers of thick woolen cloth C (Fig. l) laid one upon the other as a heavy mat-likesurface, though any porous, felted material would be cheaper and equally efficient.

In referring to a sound-absorbing member in combination with an angular Ventilating or de flectin member in my device-the word absorbing is used as an inclusive term. By this I mean that the so-called soft surface causes the sound waves to divide into a variety 'of directional components as in the passing of sound from one point to another when interference is present in its direct pathway. (See Fig. 3.) Such directional forces of sound in this particular sense may be considered as the well-known physical phenomena of sound included by such terms as restreet noises come in Contact with the absorbent member of my invention.

To further increase the sound absorbing power of the cushioned surface of my ventilator I may combine therewith vertical fins 4 of a non-vibratory material spaced at sulficient intervals to permit air currents to pass. N ot onl is the area. of cushioned surface increased y the addition of the ns but the persist/ence of the noise from an approaching and receding trolley car or heavy truc k, for example, is very materially lessened.

Structurally the member 1 is preferably f pivoted between side frames 2 held together by a cross frame 3. These are inserted belines. The arrows N indicate the path of sound waves generally Classifiable as noise.

The most valuable feature of my device is its ability to separate and eliminate harsh high pitched vibrations from the lower pitched sounds which in themselves are not disagreeable. The deep rumble of passing vchicles is not materially lessened but that most disagreeable of all street noises, the clanking sound produced by contacting loose metal structures, is very materially lessened. The

same is only somewhat less true of the objectionable noise from horns, bells, high pitched voices, etc. The ripping, tearing sounds from modern, non-skid tires on an asphalt pavement are almost entirely eliminated.

I desire to patent broadly the combination of a. non-vibrating sound absorbing (in the sense described earlier in my application) member in combination with a ventilator structure and in addition the combination of vertical non-vibrating fin-like members.

Various modifications, however, 'in selection and .arrangement of materials may be resorted to within the spirit and scope of this general concept as defined "by the appended claims.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a ventilator, an inwardly and upwardly inclined flat deiiector member, vertical forwardly projecting end members and a plurality of intermediate vertical fins, the entire structure formed of sound deadening material and a reenforcing frame for said sound deadening material.

2. In a ventilator, an inwardly and upwardly inclined adjustable deflector member, vertical forwardly projecting end members and a plurality of intermediate vertical fins, the outwardly disposed deector and the lin surfaces being formed of sound deadening material.

3. In a ventilator, an inwardly and upwardly inclined tiltable deilector member, vertical forwardly projecting end members and an intermedia-te vertical iin, the deflector and fin presenting exterior surfaces of sound deadening material.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES R. C. BORDEN.

binder. I may use a reed reinforcement 5 and to it add as additional binder and filler cotton or wool waste. I may use any other reinforcement but reeds, such as rattan, make a very strong reinforcing frame and are cheap and may be-sawed for-fitting the parts which can be moulded in lengths and cut apart.

The arrows A indicate air currents or draft 

